Ergonomic chair

ABSTRACT

An ergonomic chair having a cooperatively adjustable seat is herein disclosed. The seat may be adjusted to position a user of the chair in a physiologic attitude that approaches the neutral position. Wheels and foot pads add to the ergonomics, and a top pad extending the seat may also be used.

RELATED APPLICATION

This Application is a Non-Provisional of U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/733,123, titled “ERGONOMIC CHAIR,” filed Dec. 12, 2012, (Pending) which is commonly assigned and incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mechanism for supporting and positioning the body of a user in an ergonomic position with respect to a workstation or surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to protect the health and well being of today's worker, it has become vital to organize the worker's environment around sound ergonomic principles. As part of this process, it is imperative that a worker be provided with suitable seating that will permit the worker to engage in their assigned tasks while minimizing the physical stresses associated with that task.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an ergonomic chair of the present disclosure in which the seat is in a seated position;

FIG. 1B is a side elevation view of the ergonomic chair of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a front elevation view of the ergonomic chair of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a rear elevation view of the ergonomic chair of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of an ergonomic chair of the present disclosure in which the seat is in an inclined, extended position;

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the ergonomic chair of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a side elevation view of the ergonomic chair of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D is a rear elevation view of the ergonomic chair of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2E is a bottom view of the ergonomic chair of FIG. 2A; and

FIG. 2F is a top view of the ergonomic chair of FIG. 2A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Referring first to FIGS. 1A-1D, an ergonomic chair 100 can be seen. The chair 100 is constructed and arranged to support the body of a user (not shown) in one of a number of ergonomically correct positions, commonly referred to as neutral positions, with respect to a work surface or workstation. This positions or postures minimize the stresses that a worker experiences while performing his or her assigned tasks.

The chair 100 includes a tubular frame 102, comprising in one embodiment a two-piece steel tubing frame, and having a knee tube 110 and a seat tube 112. In one embodiment, the knee tube 110 and the seat tube 112 are in fixed positions designed to replicate correct ergonomic positioning for use of the chair 100. Rear foot pegs 118 may be used for stability. While two rear foot pegs 118 are shown, a greater number may be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Chair 100 further comprises foot pads 104, which may have a solid base and may also be padded. The foot pads 104 are inclined in one embodiment with respect to a surface on which the chair 100 sits, so as to create a more ergonomically solid foot support for the chair 100. In one embodiment, wheels 106 may be positioned beneath the foot pads, to allow for ease in moving the chair 100. Additionally, wheels (not shown) may also be placed on rear tube ends of rear tubes 118.

The knee tube 110 supports knee pads 108, which in one embodiment have a round cross section. The seat tube 112 supports an angularly adjustable seat 114, which in one embodiment has a stiff back 116, such as a backboard of plywood or the like. An optional top pad 122 may be attached to chair 100 using an attachment mechanism shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2A-2F.

Seat hinge mechanism 120 comprises in one embodiment a hinge at a front of the seat 114, allowing the seat 114 to pivot with respect to the seat tube 112.

Referring now also to FIGS. 2A-2F, the chair 100 is shown in an inclined position in which the seat 114 is pivoted relative to the seat tube 112. Referring especially to FIG. 2B, a seat support mechanism 201 is shown. Seat support mechanism 201 comprises, in one embodiment, a pin 202 that engages teeth 204 in a frame 203, allowing inclined adjustment at a plurality of different inclines. The seat 114 locks into place by seating the pin 202 into one set of teeth 204 of the frame 203. Pin 202 is in one embodiment connected to a rotatable arm 205, which is pivotally attached to seat tube 114. A handle 206 may be used in one embodiment to assist in adjustment of the seat 114.

Top pad 122 is connected to the seat 114 by a frame 210 having a post 212 that engages a post receiver 214. In one embodiment, a push pin 208 on the post 212 engages an opening in the post receiver 214 to lock the top pad 122 to the seat 114.

In operation, the chair 100 may be adapted to ergonomically support a user in a comfortable position that preferably closely approximates a physiologically neutral position. The seat 114 may be raised or lowered using the seat hinge mechanism 120 and seat support mechanism 201 to accommodate variations in height of the user and/or to attain a proper hip arrangement required to approximate a neutral position for the user before a selected workstation or work surface.

CONCLUSION

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. Many adaptations of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the invention. It is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An ergonomic chair comprising a seat and a knee brace, the seat adjustably coupled to a frame, the seat adjustable with respect to the frame so as to position a user of the chair in a generally neutral physiologic position.
 2. The ergonomic chair of claim 1, wherein the seat of the chair is coupled to the frame by means of a rotatable seat adjustment mechanism.
 3. The ergonomic chair of claim 1, and further comprising a seat extender connected to the seat.
 4. The ergonomic chair of claim 1, and further comprising a set of wheels attached to the frame.
 5. The ergonomic chair of claim 1, and further comprising foot pads, the foot pads connected to the frame and inclined relative to a surface on which the chair sits.
 6. The ergonomic chair of claim 2, wherein the seat adjustment mechanism comprises a frame having a plurality of teeth, the frame connected to the seat, and a pin, the pin attached via a support mechanism to the frame. 